McGovern and McGinty break Waterford hearts in Tallaght thriller
Waterford players remonstrate with referee Aaron O’Dowd at the final whistle after their SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clash at Tallaght Stadium on Friday last. Photo: INPHO/James Lawlor
A stunning late save from Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty denied Waterford FC what would have been a richly deserved point in a thrilling SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division encounter at a rain-soaked Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
After Graham Coughlan’s side had twice led against the champions, second-half substitute John McGovern proved the unlikely match-winner as his brace inflicted Waterford’s first defeat in 14 games.
Yet McGinty’s heroics ultimately proved decisive for Stephen Bradley’s side. The Rovers goalkeeper somehow denied Tommy Lonergan from close range five minutes from time after Hayden Cann had rattled the crossbar with a header, ensuring the hosts held on for all three points.
Rovers fashioned the first opportunity on four minutes when Will Fitzgerald slipped the ball into Graham Burke on the right side of the area, but the forward’s curling left-footed effort drifted wide of Stephen McMullan’s far post.
Waterford settled into the contest and created an opening on 20 minutes when Evan McLaughlin collected a pass from Tommy Lonergan, but his effort was comfortably gathered by McGinty. At the other end, Matthew Healy took a lay-off from Burke a minute later only to fire straight at McMullan from distance.
The visitors came close to breaking the deadlock on 25 minutes. Padraig Amond flicked on a long ball from McMullan into the path of Lonergan, whose low right-footed effort brought an excellent one-handed save from McGinty as the goalkeeper turned the ball around the post.
Lonergan was then wiped out as he surged into the Rovers half on 27 minutes, but play was waved on. Waterford manager Graham Coughlan was subsequently cautioned following his protests.
The home side squandered a glorious chance six minutes later when Adam Brennan played Aaron Greene into the area. Greene cleverly teed up Jack Byrne, but the midfielder hooked his close-range effort over the crossbar.
Rovers threatened again on 35 minutes when Dylan Watts split the Waterford defence with a pass that released Burke down the left, but his shot flashed narrowly wide of the far post.
Waterford made them pay seconds later. Lonergan delivered from the right and Benny Couto laid the ball into the path of McLaughlin, who drilled a composed finish beyond McGinty to give the visitors the lead.
John Mahon then produced a superb last-ditch challenge on 38 minutes after Watts sent Greene racing clear. Just as the striker prepared to lift the ball over McMullan, the Waterford defender made a perfectly timed intervention.
As the rain intensified, Waterford nearly doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Couto’s corner fell kindly for Amond six yards from goal, but Pico Lopes threw himself in the way to make a crucial block.
The game exploded into life after the break with two goals in the space of a minute.
Rovers levelled on 57 minutes when Byrne’s corner was not properly dealt with and Greene reacted quickest to hook home from close range.
Waterford responded immediately. Noah Mawene drove into the area down the right before picking out Lonergan, whose touch found Couto on the edge of the box. The Portuguese midfielder swept a crisp right-footed finish beyond McGinty to restore the visitors’ lead.
Rovers drew level again on 71 minutes when Jake Mulraney’s burst down the left created the opening. His pass found Burke, whose pinpoint delivery was met by substitute McGovern, who steered home from close range.
The league champions completed the turnaround four minutes later. Once again Mulraney found space on the left and crossed into the danger area, where McGovern arrived to fire past McMullan for his second goal of the evening.
Waterford pushed desperately for a late equaliser and came agonisingly close on 85 minutes. Couto’s free-kick found Cann, whose powerful header crashed off the crossbar. The rebound fell to Lonergan, but McGinty produced a remarkable save to preserve Rovers’ lead and secure victory for the hosts.
McGinty; Brennan (Mulraney 67), Lopes, Grace, Cleary (C. O'Sullivan 87); Watts, Healy, Byrne, Fitzgerald (Sobowale 61); Burke (Razi 67), Greene (McGovern 61).
McMullan; Cann, Long, Mahon; Voilas (Houston 77), McLaughlin (Glenfield 64), Mawene (Heeney 77), Noonan (Faria 77), Couto; Amond, Lonergan.
Aaron O'Dowd (Dublin).
5,823.
